Bears V Mustangs [4-3 Loss]

Sydney Bears lost 4-3 to Melbourne Mustangs in a close game at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday July 9.

Bears opened the scoring with just under 9 minutes to go in the first period. Cameron Todd did the leadup work with Tomas Landa nailing the goal. Landa had a lot of work to do to get the puck into the net.

Mustangs replied a couple of minutes later to tie the game 1-1 after 1 period. The first period was free-flowing with no penalties awarded. 

Midway through the second period, Bears scored a shorthanded goal to re-take the lead 2-1. Landa combined with Nic Kawasaki who was thankful to see the puck slide of the goalie pads & across the line.

Towards the end of period 2, the Mustangs scored two quick goals to equalise then go ahead a goal. Officially, the Mustangs 3rd goal was awarded with a second to go in the period however that was hotly debated on and off the ice, arguing that time had expired.

Mustangs increased their lead to 4-2 midway through the third period. Launching a comeback, Landa and Todd combined again with Landa nailing a goal from a rebound to give the Bears a late sniff of victory. In the end though, time ran out and the Bears lost by a goal, 4-3.  

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: Injected Ideas Photography